Who knew a slim volume entitled “Snorkeling the Florida Keys” would be jam packed with history, stories of pirates and shipwrecks, and hundreds of interesting factoids, in addition to the nitty-gritty details necessary to find the prime snorkeling spots in the Keys?

Brad Bertelli has accomplished this marriage of backstory and nuts-and-bolts “if you go” information in his photo-filled, 145-page guide to 14 amazing places to snorkel. Published by University Press of Florida in 2013, this new guide is sure to become a must-have classic.

Both an experienced snorkeler and an engaging storyteller, Bertelli is an award-winning writer and member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association. Author of “Snorkeling Florida: 50 Excellent Sites,” Brad has also written articles for the Miami Herald as well as Florida Keys newspapers. He is currently the vice president of the Historical Preservation Society of the Upper Keys, making his holistic interest in the area a compelling reason to read his guide before setting forth.

Bertelli has structured his book in an easy-to-use format that sets each of the 14 sites apart as distinct chapters that include the history of the area, or of the ship at the shipwreck site, black-and-white historical photos, and an “At a Glance” section at the end of each chapter. In the latter section, one finds the name, location, phone, park website, snorkel charter website, and directions. Following this section are a few additional paragraphs labeled “Fun Facts,” which include additional stories related to each site.

In the middle of the book are six pages of brilliant-color photos that depict examples of what one might find under the sea: hard and soft corals, French angelfish, flamingo tongue snails, coral polyps, puddingwife wrasse, sea fans, a hawksbill turtle, juvenile beau gregory, smooth trunkfish, a nurse shark, remora, filefish, and a cushion star.

Biscayne and Dry Tortugas national parks and Pennekamp, Bahia Honda and Key West Marine state parks are included as prime sites. Also included are the following reefs: Carysfort, Molasses, Pickles, Alligator, Coffins and Sombrero. Indian Key and Looe Key, plus the “City of Washington” shipwreck, round out the 14 featured locations.

At the end of the Biscayne National Park chapter, Bertelli tells the reader, “Black Caesar was allegedly an African chieftain captured by slave traders and slated to be auctioned in the Americas. During the Atlantic crossing, the slave ship was swept against the reef by a hurricane. Two men reportedly survived, the African chieftain and the only crew member aboard the ship he had been willing to accept food or drink from. They escaped in a longboat, managed to find the safety of dry land, and turned to pirating.”

Bertelli further recounts that Black Caesar would spy a ship sailing along the reef line and that he and his mate would row their longboat out to the reef and act as if adrift. Once they were “rescued” and taken on board, they drew arms, demanded treasure, accepted sailors willing to join their crew, and killed the rest.

Brad Bertelli

Captivating stories – pun intended – are numerous throughout the volume, whether part of the background history sections or in the shorter, quick-read “Fun Facts” sections. Bertelli’s knowledge of the area and its history would greatly enhance any snorkeling venture, making it much more than a simple hour of under-the-water voyeurism into the lives of the fish, coral, and other creatures found just below the surface of the sparkling turquoise waters in which the Keys bask.

Readers would do well to zip Bertelli’s guide into a gallon-size plastic bag; pack it with their mask, snorkel and flippers; and set off for adventure in the waters where pirates lurked not so very long ago.

Liz Jameson is a Tallahassee editor and blogger who is writing a memoir about her life in Wyoming.

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The mission of Tallahassee Writers Association (TWA) is to support the literary arts by offering professional and novice writers education, connection, and encouragement. TWA's membership is filled with novelists, creative nonfiction authors, poets, children's authors, screenwriters, playwrights, journalists, and those who want to exercise their creative talents using the written word. TWA is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3). For more information about the Tallahassee Writers Association, and to learn about activities provided members as well as our annual conference, please visit our website at www.twaonline.org. TWA meets 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at the American Legion on Lake Ella.